I have struggled with my mental health since I was 16. I'm am now 32 and have the same issues now as I did then. Pills don't fix anything, counselling is expensive and impossible on the nhs. In my experience the support I received when times were at their darkest, were from family and grass roots projects and drop in centres. These types of support networks are underfunded and need help. In recent months I have damaged my ankle and the road to recovery has been long. I have lost my home and am now relying on family to help. The result to my mental health during this time has been negative to say the least.

So here comes the idea. I have read many study's on the effects of exercise on your mental health, and given my personal need to rehabilitate my ankle. I propose a sponsored cycle from Southampton across Europe through France, Belgium and the Netherlands to raise awareness and money to donate to MIND and a small drop in centre in cardigan in wales called area 43 that helped me through rough times many years ago.